Oilers Defenseman Unexpectedly Offers to Leave the Lineup When Mattias Ekholm Returns
Photo credit: The Oil Rig
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Troy Stecher is voluntarily saying he'll give up his roster spot to teammate and fellow defenseman Mattias Ekholm when he can return.
The Edmonton Oilers can take a 3-1 lead over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final if they win Tuesday night's Game 4.
They've already won 2 straight against the Stars after a Game 1 loss in Dallas, and hope to keep it going heading into the crucial 4th game of the series.
Absent from the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Oilers has been defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who hasn't played since an injury on April 11 against the San Jose Sharks.
Defenseman Troy Stecher, who has found a niche with the Oilers after having been a journeyman, has played the last 5 games on the blue line since replacing Ty Emberson.
But he said he's ready to give up his spot in the lineup for Ekholm now that he's nearing an official return to the ice.
I want him healthy and I want him to help us win. He's a better player than I am. That's just the reality of the world.
Stecher said that this is the 1st time that he's played on a contending team and while he wants to play, he's willing to sacrifice playing time if it means he can share in the team's success.
I just want to win a Stanley Cup, man. I don't want to talk poorly (of anyone), but my time in Vancouver, we weren't very good. And my time in Arizona, we weren't very good. My time in Detroit, we weren't very good. I just want an opportunity to play on a contender.
Obviously I want to be in the lineup (and) I'm going to do everything in my power to prove to the coaches I deserve to play. But the most important thing is just winning hockey games. I'm very fortunate to be in the position I'm in.
Obviously I want to be in the lineup (and) I'm going to do everything in my power to prove to the coaches I deserve to play. But the most important thing is just winning hockey games. I'm very fortunate to be in the position I'm in.
| POLL | ||
MAI 26 | 276 ANSWERS Oilers Defenseman Unexpectedly Offers to Leave the Lineup When Mattias Ekholm Returns Should Troy Stecher give up his roster spot to Mattias Ekholm? | ||
| Yes | 163 | 59.1 % |
| No | 113 | 40.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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